Florida Lottery Secretary Cynthia O’Connell is resigning amid questions about her travel, spending and work habits.
The governor’s office announced the resignation Friday. It is effective Oct. 1.
O’Connell was appointed by Scott in 2011. The governor’s office said she is seeking work in the private sector.
Scott appointed deputy secretary of sales Tom Delacenserie as interim secretary.
O’Connell’s abrupt resignation came days after a news report that she had taken nearly nine weeks of vacation last year and racked up nearly $30,000 in travel bills.
The Associated Press in the last month had asked for O’Connell’s credit card bills and asked questions about her dealings with lobbyists who represent vendors seeking business with her agency. The lottery department contended it would cost more than $20,000 to provide copies of her emails.
